Magnetic motor



J. G. RUCKELSHAUS 1,932,146

MAGNETIC MOTOR Filed Feb. 28, 1933 L 6 3 INVENTOR;

ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAGNETIC MOTOR John G. Ruckelahaus, Newark,N. J., assignor to Motion Displays, Inc., av corporation of New YorkApplication February 28, 1933. Serial No. 658,913

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in the construction ofelectro-magnetic motors of the oscillatory type and has for its objectto produce a materially simplified structural arrangement adapted to besafe and reliable in operation and particularly adapted for use as aprime mover for animated advertising displays where economy ofproduction cost, dependability, safety and economy in operating costsare important factors. Important features which contribute to theeconomy and simplification of my improved device consist in theemployment, as the actuator or impeller member, of a pivotally supportedor fulcrumed arm carrying at its lower end a magnet coil operative as apendulum weight and cooperating with a fixed armature rod curved toconform to the path of movement of the coil; in conjunction with a makeand break circuit control switch or interrupter connected or mounted tobe actuated by the movement of the impeller arm. Preferably, theinterrupter consists of a mercury switch mounted directly upon the armat a suitable position to properly control the movement, this type ofswitch being specially desirable by reason of its non-arcing operationand enclosed terminal arrangement.

-The described and other important features and advantages of thepresent improvements will be more fully understood by reference to theaccompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals are applied to thecorresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawing: Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation showing my improvedelectro-magnetic motor construction; Fig.2 is a view thereof in sideelevation; and Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. In the approved embodimentof the features 4 of the present invention as here shown, the improvedoscillatory motor comprises a suitable supporting stand 1, including avertical bracket 2 having a reverse bend at its upper end portionprovided with horizontally aligned apertures forming bearings for ashaft or pivotal supporting bolt 3 having secured to its forwardlyprojecting end a swinging arm 4. The bolt 3, as shown, is provided witha threaded forward projecting end portion threaded to receive the nuts 5and 6 between which the arm 4 is clamped and the bolt turns freely inthe aperture bearings of the bracket 2. The swinging actuator orimpeller portion within which is fitted an electro-magnetic coil 9 ofsolenoid type having a central longitudiarm 4 is formed with a loop 8 atits lower end' nal opening therethrough for the reception of an armatureor core member.

In further accordance with the present invention, the armature employedis in the form of a fixed soft iron rod 10 secured to the stapd baseportion and having a curved core portion 11, the arc of curvature ofwhich is described from the axis from the pivotal bolt 3 as a center andwith the curved portion centrally aligned with the coil opening wherebythe active portion of the armature rod conforms to the path of movementof the coil allowing the coil to swing upwardly thereon.

In operation, the coil is energized from a suitable electric circuit toeffect themovement of the coil in one direction and a suitableautomatically operated switch or circuit interrupter is arranged to openthe circuit to allow gravity return and reverse movement of the coil andswinging arm 4 and to again close the circuit to effect, continuousswinging or oscillation of the actuator or swinging arm. The circuitcontrolling means desirably employed, as shown, is a mercury switchelement 12 mounted upon the actuator arm 4 adjacent to its upper orpivotal portion. The switch element is of standard form consisting of asealed glass container into which the separate wire terminals are led atone end thereof and containing mercury for bridging the. terminals toclose the circuit when tilted in one direction and withdrawing from theterminals to open the circuit when tilted in the other direction; theinterior of the container being exhausted or containing an inert gas toprevent arcing. The wire leads, as shown, are supported to have flexibleloops sufficient to allow of the proper movement of the swinging arm.

The curved armature rod 11 has its free end positioned to be elfectivelywithin the magnetic field of the coil when the latter is in lowermost orrest position and the mercury switch element is angularly positioned tobe then effective to close the energizing electric circuit and to retainthe circuit closed until the coil moves upwardly in its swing over thearmature rod the distance required for the desired movement. The mercuryswitch element, as shown, is supported within a small bracket of channelform indicated at 13, the latter being secured by means of a screw stud14 upon theactuating arm thereby to allow adjusting of the angularposition of the switch element to alter the position at which thecircuit is broken with corresponding adjusting of the operating swing ormovement of the actuator arm.

In operation, upon turning on of the current from a suitable sourcecontrol switch, the solenoid coil will be energized and by its fieldattraction will be moved upwardly with relation to the curved, fixedarmature until the angular position of the actuator arm causes theterminals within the mercury switch element to disengage the mercury andopen the circuit whereupon the swinging arm and the coil mounted thereonacting as a pendulum weight will swing in the opposite direction bygravity and momentum and thereafter have a continued swinging oroscillatory movement receiving a power impulse upon the successive andintermittent closing of the circuit by the mercury switch element. Theoscillating motion thus imparted to the actuator is transmitted bysuitable connections for the operation of devices as desired such asarticulated parts of animated display signs where economical power isparticularly desired. For thus transmitting the motion a connecting link18 may be pivotally connected at a suitable point to the actuator arm,as here shown, the arm is extended upwardly above the pivotal bolt 3 orfulcrum and apertured for the pivot 17 of a connecting link 18.

I have accordingly produced a simple and inexpensive structuralarrangement adapted to be efficient and economical in currentconsumption as related to the employment of the cooperating pendulumarrangement wherein the coil is advantageously employed as a movingweight.

While I have shown anddescribed an approved embodiment of the featuresof the present invention, it will be understood that variousmodifications may be made therein without departing from the scope orthe invention as defined in the appended claims. It is accordinglyintended that all matter herein shall be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An oscillatory motor of the character described comprising asupporting member, a pendulum acting actuator arm pivotally supportedthereon, an actuating magnet for operating the arm comprising a coilsupported upon the arm at its lower end, a fixed armature to cooperatetherewith having a portion curved to conform to the path of movement ofthe coil and a circuit interrupting switch arranged to be actuated bythe movement of the arm for intermittently closing the energizingcircuit.

2. An oscillatory motor of the character described comprising asupporting member, an actuator arm pivotally supported thereon, anactuating magnet for operating the arm comprising a coil supportedhorizontally upon the arm at its lower end and having an openingtherethrough, a fixed armature rod to cooperate therewith having aportion of curved form positioned to register with the coil opening andcurved to conform to the path of movement of the coil and a circuitinterrupting switch arranged to be actuated by the movement of the armfor intermittently closing the energizing circuit through the coil.

3. An oscillatory motor of the character described comprising asupporting member, an actuator arm pivotally supported thereon, anactuating magnet for operating the arm comprising a coil supportedhorizontally upon the arm at its lower end and having an openingtherethrough, a fixed armature rod to cooperate therewith having aportion of curved form positioned to register with the coil opening andhaving its curvature conforming to the path of movement of the coil, acircuit interrupting switch arranged to be actuated by the movement ofthe arm for intermittently closing the energizing circuit and means foradjusting the operating relation of the switch to the arm.

4. An oscillatory motor of the character .described comprising asupporting member, an actuator arm pivotally supported thereon, anactuating magnet for operating the arm comprising a magnet coilsupported horizontally upon the arm at its lower end to act as apendulum weight, a fixed armature to cooperate therewith having aportion of curved form conforming to the path of movement of the coil,adjustable supporting means on the actuator arm and a mercury switchelement connected in series with the coil circuit and supported upon thesupporting means for intermittently closing the coil circuit in responseto movement of the actuator arm.

JOHN G. RUCKELSHAUS.

